Part 46 (1/2)

But the words had worked their magic. ”There _is_ something else!” David cried, exulting. ”I can't wait any longer to tell you! I love you!”

He held out his arms and as she smiled into his face his arms enfolded her and he knew that she loved him. But he wanted to hear the sweet words from her lips. ”Is it so?” he asked. ”You do care for me, you'll marry me?”

”Oh, Davie, did you think I could live the rest of my life without you?

Did you think I could love you any less because you're crippled?”

He flushed. ”It seemed like working on your sympathy to ask you.”

”And if you hadn't asked me, Davie,” she began.

”Yes, go on. If I hadn't asked you----”

”_I_ should have asked _you_!”

They both laughed at that, but a moment later were serious as he said, ”Just the same, Phbe, it seems presumptuous for a maimed man to ask a girl like you to marry him. You are beautiful and you have a wonderful voice--and you've done such wonderful things for Mother Bab and me. You have sacrificed so much----”

”Stop, David!” she cried, her voice ominously tearful. ”David, don't hurt me like that! Do you love me?”

”I do.” His words had all the solemnity of a marriage vow.

”You know I love you?”

”I do.”

”Then, David, can't you see that we love each other not only in prosperity but in misfortunes as well?”

”What a big heart you have, dear, what a woman's heart! I have two wonderful women in my life, Mother Bab and you.”

Phbe felt the delicacy and magnitude of the tribute. ”I'm happy, Davie,” she said softly. ”I feel so safe with you--no doubts, no fears.”

”Just love,” he added.

”Just love,” she repeated.

”Then, Phbe”--how she loved the name from his lips--”you'll marry me?”

He said it as though he could not quite believe his good fortune. ”Then you _will_ marry me?”

”Yes, if you want.”

”If I want! Oh, Phbe, Phbe, I have always wanted it!”

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